12 Doc. No. 11. 



to themselves avenues to knowledge of all kinds ; the transmission of 

 which to the institution, under executive instructions to that effect, might 

 often prove of high value. It would not be expected from them but at 

 convenient intervals, and never when interfering with. their primary du- 

 ties. When an appropriate channel was opened for receiving communi- 

 cations of this nature, they would become, it may be presumed, an agree- 

 able appendage to the primary duties of our ministers, affording a resource 

 for their leisure, with opportunities of a more enlarged usefulness to their 

 country, and fame to themselves. Permanent missions were once ob- 

 jected to by Mr. Jefferson, as not within the true theory of our foreign 

 intercourse, which seems to countenance the more a proposal for connect- 

 ing with them the honorable appendage suggested, since neither official 

 dignity nor usefulness can ever be impaired, though both may be height- 

 ened, by coassociation with knowledge in other fields. 



2. A building to be erected at Washington, with accommodations for 

 the business of (he institution. Ground to be attached to it, sufficient 

 for reproducing seeds and plants, with a view to diffusing through the 

 country such as might be found to deserve it. The officers of the insti- 

 tution to be a director, a secretary, a librarian, and a treasurer. Persons 

 to be under them to take care of the building and grounds. The officers 

 to be appointed by the President and Senate. The director to make an 

 annual report to Congress on the state of the institution, and oftener if 

 necessary. Its affairs to be subject to the visitation of the President, 

 aided by a standing board, to consist of the chief officers of the Govern- 

 ment, say, taking the example of a law already in the statute book in 

 relation to the finances, the Vice President, the Chief .Justice, the Sec- 

 retaries of State and the Treasury, and the Attorney General. The 

 institution to have its press, as the University of Oxford, or otherwise 

 authority to employ one for printing communications sent to it, and the 

 lectures to be presently mentioned. Nothing to be printed but under 

 the sanction of the director and standing board of visiters. To this and 

 other ends, for the good government of the institution, the standing board 

 to have the right to call in the assistance of three or more scientifrc or 

 literary persons unconnected with it. The profits arising from all publi- 

 cations to go in aid of the funds of the institution. Communications from 

 learned societies, or from individuals eminent in science or letters, in 

 whatever part of the world, to be received by the director, and taken 

 charge of by the secretary. The director to be authorized to correspond 

 "with any such societies or persons. A council to assemble once a month, 

 to consist of the officers of the institution and the lecturers attached to 

 it, before wiiich all communications to be laid. Order to be then taken 

 upon them. Such as go upon the archives, with a view (o the question 

 of publication, to be brought under the consideration of the standing 

 board of visiters at the proper time, when that question will be decided. 

 The director to preside at these councils, at the meetings of the standing 

 board of visiters, and at all other meetings required by the business of 

 the institution ; and the Secretary to keep the minutes. The standing 

 board of visiters to hold stated meetings twice a year, and assemble on 

 other occasions when they deem it necessary. At the commencement 

 of the institution, the duties of librarian and treasurer to be united in the 

 same person. 



3. Lectureships to be established, comprehending as many of the 



